Don’t buy potassium iodide, send a donation to Japan

By Chris Noble

Val Kennedy, one of MarketWatch’s correspondents who specializes in drugs companies, reports that public health officials are advising against taking potassium iodide as a preventive measure:

Public health officials in Hawaii, Washington state, and California are advising the public not to take the radiation treatment potassium iodide, or KI, as a precautionary measure. Read California advisory.

The warnings come amid reports that some West Coast residents have been scrambling to stock up on the pills out of concern that radioactive fallout from Japan could hit U.S. shores. Also fanning fears were remarks made by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin on Tuesday that some took as an endorsement of such stockpiling. Read Fox story on Surgeon General’s remarks.

Health officials on Wednesday were quick to emphasize that KI is only effective when taken after radiation exposure and can cause serious side effects if taken otherwise. The compound can be especially harmful to patients who are allergic to shellfish or have thyroid problems. Read Hawaii advisory.

“We do have advice for consumers in our state: don’t buy and take KI because of what’s happening in Japan. It’s unnecessary, because KI is only indicated for people within a very short distance of a nuclear incident who cannot evacuate or have to work in a contaminated area,” said Donn Moyer, a spokesman for Washington’s Department of Health, in a statement to MarketWatch.

“Taking KI can also pose its own health risks, and since it’s unnecessary in the first place, we urge people to save their money, or send it in a donation to Japanese disaster relief,” Moyer added.

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About Disaster in Japan

MarketWatch is providing continuous coverage of the catastrophe in Japan, focusing on the global investing, business and human dimensions of the crisis. The editors are Christopher Noble and Alexander Davis.